Hi Eniz! How are you? As we know well, winter in Helsinki is not the warmest season. Are you hiding somewhere where the sun never stops shining, during this period, or are you catching up with being a young dad in Finland?
Hey! All good here. This winter has been easy, cuz there has not been any snow here, but the darkness is the worst. Now it’s getting better though. I always try to travel couple times during the winter somewhere warm, but it’s also the perfect time to spend time with my family and charge some batteries for the spring.
Recently, when the weather was good, you traveled a lot, collecting material for „I only Have Eyes For You”, among others. You have visited Poland several times, it was not your first time in our country. Tell me, have you noticed any changes during these few years?
It’s been more than ten years since I was last there (before last summer) and the change has been huge in a good way. The Warsaw I remember from back in the day was more like a rough eastern country and now I feel like it’s one of the most biggest growing cities in Europe and I do believe more people are gonna travel there for skating.
What do you like most about our country currently?
There’s so many good things, but for me I like the fact that it’s so cheep comparing to Finland. And also all the spots are not destroyed (yet haha). There’s just something about Poland that makes me wanna travel there again and will surely take my family there one day too.
What do you like most about our country currently?
There’s so many good things, but for me I like the fact that it’s so cheep comparing to Finland. And also all the spots are not destroyed (yet haha). There’s just something about Poland that makes me wanna travel there again and will surely take my family there one day too.
Except from unfavorable weather, it seems to me that the differences between Warsaw and Helsinki are very large. What do you think is the most noticeable?For me I don’t think their not that different in the end of day, maybe the skate scene is a bit bigger here and everything costs at least four times more, which is not a nice thing. Maybe I’ll just move there in the future hahah.
Staying on the topic of traveling, it is worth mentioning that with the Kuba Kaczmarczyk project you went to Odessa in Ukraine. Surely something must have surprised you there and for sure you have some interesting stories from there.
The country is so corrupted. Don’t remember a specific story from there, but one thing is for sure and it’s that they really DON’T like skaters… So think twice if u are planning to go there on a skate trip, I know I won’t any day soon.
For the first time you worked on a project with Kuba, how was your cooperation?
If I’m being honest, when I was asked to be a part of it, I thought that it’s gonna be just one or two trips edit. I didn’t have a clue that he was working on a full length project. But really quickly we got along well and I started to trust him as a filmer, which is the most important thing. Thats why it’s has been so great to be working with him and cannot wait for the next project. Fuck yeah Kuba!
You have a really solid part with many hammers, but maybe there is something you would like to change in the final edit?
Haha which hammers?? I think the whole part was pretty much solid and normal me, nothing too crazy. But def Kuba made me look way better than I thought it’s gonna be. Fuck yeah Kuba!
Is there any trick you’re most happy with?
One trick Kuba didn’t even wanted to use at the beginning, but added after the premiere, was my favourite. It’s the kickflip bs lip in Odessa, ofc. Fucking Kuba.
During this production you had the opportunity to meet and definitely spend a little more time with the guys from GA. Who made the biggest impression and who did you get along best with?
They all impressed me in some way, but I definitely knew before that Juras was a ripper. Also I spent most time with skater Kuba, he really suprised me with his power and talents. And his personality, what a great dude! Fuck yeah Kuba.
Now tell me strictly in terms of skateboarding, which part of the movie did you like the most?
Michal’s part was in my opinion the most impressive and I think he worked the hardest for it. Hope he get’s well soon, sending love for him!
Last year you not only released a part in “I only have …” but also a stunning solo part for Freemag. How do you accommodate work on such projects and being a father?The free part I started to film before we had the baby, but I did finished it when the baby was born. She gave me so much confidence and i think she changed the way I see skating. I feel like becoming a father doesn’t impact me as a skater, vice versa it inspires me to do even more, cuz you really appreciate it every time you get to skate.
Finally tell me what is your secret – you have been on the European and world scene for so many years? Admit it, it’s all thanks to the Finnish sauna.There’s no secret, I’m just lucky to have such a great crew around me. Like I said the skate scene here in Helsinki is so good, there has been over the years so many legendary photographers and filmers, that made me what I am today. Thanks to all those people! Also getting in early years on euro teams and traveling a lot, has helped me so much. Back in the day that was the key for success in the industry.
Thanks a lot for chatting. I hope that despite the fact that you have finished this project you will still visit Poland. H5 and see you on the board!
Thank you and will surely visit Poland again, greetings to all the skaters there! Keep skating and stay hyped.
Wywiad: Piotr Kostur
Zdjęcia: Kuba Bączkowski
